Close Alameda Pool

May 11, 2013Letters to the Editor

I agree with Stella Neely’s May 6 letter “Rethink Alameda” and would like to take it a step farther.

Nowhere is it mandated that a county must provide a swimming pool for its residents. When the cost to operate and maintain a pool is weighed against the benefits, it’s not a prudent investment of resources.

I know because I have had one for the past 30-plus years. The most I get to use it is approximately 10 to 12 weeks out of the year.

The county needs to get out of the swimming pool business. I think Alameda Pool should be closed or, better yet, sold to Butler Township. Because of its location, county residents are basically subsidizing a pool for the township.

Several communities in Butler County have swimming pools. It isn’t fair that they struggle to keep theirs running while their residents pay taxes to keep Alameda Pool open.

Most communities have an open policy allowing members as well as nonmembers to use their facilities. Furthermore, with the price of gasoline and demand on parents’ time, how often do the folks in the outlying communities actually use Alameda Pool?

Residents need to contact the county commissioners and let them know how they feel.